Student Visa Fraud

Every year, UK Visas and Immigration receive hundreds of thousands of applications for Tier 4 visas from individuals who want to student in the UK. Last year 96% of Tier 4 applications were successful.

However, it has come to the attention of UK Visas and Immigration that International Students are being targeted by fraudsters when they reach UK soil.

Perpetrators are calling International students, pretending to be the Home Office and demanding money for non existent visa fees or fines, sometimes in the way of gift cards or iTunes vouchers.

Here is what you can do to help prevent this:

Legitimate Home Office officials will never contact you for payment of fees or fines over the phone.

If you receive an unexpected call from someone who claims to be from the Home Office, it may be a scam. If you are worried about your Visa status, contact your University or UK Visas and Immigration on 0300 123 224.

The Home Office will never ask you to pay visa fees or fines using iTunes gift cards, cryptocurrency or money transfer services. Never provide the numbers of the back of iTunes gift cards to someone you don't know.

Always question unexpected requests for your personal or financial information in case it is a scam. Even if someone knows your basic details , it doesn't mean they are genuine.

Trusted organisations won't pressure you to make a financial transaction on the spot. If something feels wrong, question it.

If you think you have been victim of fraud you should report it to your place of study and to Action Fraud. Call 0300 123 2040